1/22/2012 New Members' Pricing

[Themooingcow666]

http://services.runescape.com/m=news/g=runescape/new-members-pricing

Last year saw a number of great content updates and improvements to the game, and this was just the beginning. We have some ambitious plans for 2012, as we continue to invest more than ever before in RuneScape to add even more exciting updates and improvements to the game.

 

From the 1st of February 2012, we will be increasing the RuneScape membership prices for new members. The new 1 month membership price will be $7.95 in the US, £4.95 in the UK and 6.95 in the euro zone.

 

In appreciation of our existing members, there will be no change whatsoever to anyone who is a member before the 1st February. The price you pay now will be locked in for as long as you stay a loyal member and we will even allow a seven day grace period should you forget to renew.

 

If youre a free player who was thinking about becoming a member, now is the perfect opportunity. Not only will you be able to experience all the benefits RuneScape membership offers, but you will also be able to secure the current price of $5.95/£3.50/5.95! Simply sign up for membership before Wednesday 1st February*.

 

Were also going to be making some tweaks to some payment options in order to simplify choosing a payment option. To find out more, or if you have any questions, head over to the FAQ here.

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel Clough

Vice President of RuneScape

 

*These prices are for one month credit card membership and will vary by territory and payment method

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New update from JAGEX -_-

[Amonitas]

Not sure how to feel about this.

[Themooingcow666]

I'm kind of mad, because everytime i run out of members i take a week or two OFF of RS before i pay for members, so this, this is just rediculous imo >.<

[Troll Bomber]

Sounds fine to me. Hopefully 2012 really shows us how well that extra income is going to be spent.

 

This, in addition to the loyalty programme really help to keep paying members.

[tripsis]

No complaints here. Compared to other MMOs, RuneScape has always been and still is on the cheaper side.

[Themooingcow666]

Ya but you know how Jagex is, the only real updates we have this year is the olympics (another mini game) and some graphic updates plus maybe some skill add on's, i don't really care what they update, they could have a terrible update year and i don't mind, i just don't want the price going up. :/

[bigfatleaf]

I would understand increasing the price by $1 but making it from $5.95 to $7.95 is pretty steep. The game has already been losing popularity for a while now and this will be the final nail in the coffin because they will have even less new members than before.

[Stev]

Who saw this coming, raise your hand? :P.

[Z_Berenice]

Was about time to be honest. Doesn't affect me, I always paid through paybycash which doesn't charge fees for transfers over here, so it ended up being cheaper in the long run. Guess they are focusing on a future income without affecting their current one.

[ForsakenMage]

Who saw this coming, raise your hand? :P.

*Raises hand*

 

Even if you assume they're getting a ton of money from these lawsuits, they're also spending a lot too, and the money takes time to come back. Tripsis is right: RuneScape is still by far one of the cheaper MMOs out there.

[Mercifull]

Pretty drastic increase (for cc subscribers) but I guess it brings it more in-line with other payment methods and its still pretty cheap. Thankfully they grandfather the pricing structures in and I will still continue to pay £3.20 for my sub :)

[Hajutze]

This action is so smart on so many levels. If you were a person who played RS for 5 months per year you'll be subconsciously forced to pay for 12 now because you will not want to "lose" that -2$ offer. So they will pretty much win for every person who played below 9 months per year but will now pay just not to lose the 5.95$ price.

[Mercifull]

I would understand increasing the price by $1 but making it from $5.95 to $7.95 is pretty steep. The game has already been losing popularity for a while now and this will be the final nail in the coffin because they will have even less new members than before.

People keep saying this as if they are hoping it will be a self fulfilling prophesy but the facts just don't agree. Ok so Tipit has only been tracking the data for a few weeks now but the curve is most definitely upwards. In fact in the last 24 hours alone RuneScape has gained at least 4,820 sub. But ignore that yeah, post the same old Alexa/search trend graphs and believe that instead.

[@Dan3HitU]

From £3.20 to £4.95 is a huge increase, especially for the thousands of accounts that are members.

[Den]

Doesn't affect me. Still cheap but yeah.

[Mercifull]

From £3.20 to £4.95 is a huge increase, especially for the thousands of accounts that are members.

Any affects new or returning subs not current ones.

[Ts_Stormrage]

I still pay the price form before the previous increase (a year and a half back I guess?)

[Kirschen]

The jump in price is rather noticeable, but I have no complaints. I am curious if that means the membership card prices will go up to reflect their adjustment since it is my main method of subscribing. Something is telling me that the economy and inflation are having a hand in this once more.

[Arthu]

I can afford this, if I can afford wasting so many hours on rs alone.

[Ambler]

No complaints here. Been a member for a long time, and that wont change.

[Lord Paul]

Who saw this coming, raise your hand? :P.

 

Inb4 naysayers say that jagex is obviously struggling for cash and this is the turning point. Will be interesting to see if there will be a larger than usual influx of members these next few days, and if more people will keep their memberships running to avoid the price hike if they decide to come back later and subscribe.

 

Edit: Here is the FAQ ([qfc]14-15-936-63521600[/qfc])

 

 

RuneScape New Subscription Price Change FAQ

 

 

 

Why have you decided to change the prices?

 

Considerable thought and research has gone into the changes being made. Last year we invested and improved RuneScape more than ever before and we will continue to do so this year. We've also looked at our game compared to others and feel RuneScape offers unrivalled amounts of great content and excellent value for money for its members. With your continued support we can continue to make the changes we need to in order to give you an even more enjoyable and fun gaming experience.

 

Are you grandfathering prices in the same way that you did in the previous price increase (August 2008)? What's grandfathering? Can you explain how this works and how it'll affect existing subscribers?

 

Grandfathering is the term used to represent when an old rule can still apply in some cases. In this example this means that the previous prices are still available to existing subscribers. Users will be 'grandfathered' in as long as they remain a member as follows:

• Subscribers on the pre-August 2008 prices who've not lapsed will be able to access their existing prices ($5, £3.20 etc. - 'grandfather' prices).
• Subscribers on the August 2008 - January 2012 prices who have not lapsed will be 'fathered' in and be able to access their current prices ($5.95, £3.50 etc. 'father' prices).
• New Subscribers (1st of February onwards) will see the new prices.

Is the price increase related to the bots and a decrease in players?

 

No, it is not. This change is based on several months of preparation and planning work and is not in response to any particular recent events.

 

If I started subscribing more recently what price will I pay?

 

If you're a member before 1st of February you'll be able to access the current prices.

 

I'm a loyal member and have maintained a membership since before the previous price change (August 2008). What price will I pay?

 

You'll still be able to access the price currently available to you, providing you don't have a break in membership for more than 7 days.

 

What's happening with the 12 month subscriptions?

 

12 month subscriptions were only used by a small number of players compared to the 1, 3 and 6 month subscriptions. The 12 month subscriptions will no longer be available however, the new 3 and 6 month options should typically offer a better discount compared to the previous 12 month price.

 

Previously, if I became ineligible for a loyalty discount, I could subscribe for a year and then access the loyal prices again. Will this still be possible?

 

As mentioned above, we have decided to discontinue these as part of the changes and, as a result, accessing the loyal prices if membership expires for more than 7 days will no longer be possible.

 

I'm currently not paying in dollars, euros or pounds. Will my price change?

 

Yes. We've looked at prices across every territory and payment method and, as a result, all prices will be changing broadly in line with the $7.95 in the US, £4.95 in the UK and 6.95 in the euro zone price increases.

 

What can I expect to see from the increased investment in RuneScape?

 

In 2011 we've added some large updates such as Clan Support and some of the best content we've ever released. Graphics have been hard at work updating various areas throughout RuneScape and in 2012 you should certainly expect to see even more of this. We've also got some great content lined up this year so keep an eye out for the Behind the Scenes each month.

 

How can I stay on the current price?

 

If you're a subscriber before 1st of February you'll still be able to access the current prices, even beyond the 1st of February providing your subscription doesn't lapse for more than 7 days.

 

I can't afford to pay any more than I do already. What can I do?

 

Existing users will find their subscriptions will not be affected as long as your membership doesn't lapse for longer than 7 days. You may even find that if you subscribe for a 3 or 6 month subscription, you could even save money!

 

My parents pay my subscription, and they're not going to want to pay more. What can I do?

 

If you've already subscribed you won't pay any additional money. You may even find that if you subscribe for a 3 or 6 month subscription, you could even save money!

 

I pay with phone-based payments/game cards why are these more expensive?

 

Phone based payments include a charge from the phone provider and are typically more expensive to offer. Game Cards have an additional cost associated with them as they are a physical product and require printing and distribution.

 

Currently, the prices vary between payment methods and I found it difficult to find the best deal. What have you done about this?

 

We'll be simplifying the payment options and prices as much as possible. Many payment methods, including credit card and PayPal, have been standardised, so the price you pay for new subscriptions will be the same via Credit Card, PayPal or PayByCash etc.

 

Where can I find out what the new prices would be?

 

On the 1st of February (after the update), you'll be able to login and see any applicable changes by visiting the Billing Information wiki page here. You'll also be able to login on the website and see the 3 and 6 month options, which may work out to be better value for you.

 

Why do credit cards only have a 1 month subscription? I'd be interested in 3 or 6 months at a time if there were savings to be had.

 

Good news! We'll be adding 3 and 6 month credit card subscriptions with discounts compared to the new 1 month price which may work out to be better value than your current price. These discounts will also apply across other payment methods as well.

 

[sohkmj1]

I'm not affected this time - I happened to have unsubscribed a week before the previous increase.

[Frede173]

If this means more quality updates I don't mind it. RS is already a cheap MMO for its size.

[Sy_Accursed]

Not too fussed by this.

With world economics and inflation across the board I'm amazed they wait this long to price up again AND its still like the cheapest MMO out there AND still miles better than many tht charge a lot more.

[Sorator]

Well, gives the negatives something to complain about and foretell yet more doom, but that'll happen anyway. It doesn't affect me, as I've been paying since before FunOrb came out... woo for grandfathered prices!

 

Even if they didn't grandfather existing members in, I'd probably still pay it. I'd complain a lot more and not exactly be happy, but I'd pay it. It's still cheaper than anything else like it, and there really isn't much else like it to begin with.